Koyasan Chumon
09/04/2019 / Last updated : 19/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Koyasan – Kongobuji and Jisonin　高野山

Day 81, November 2016, Due to the revving of car engines and people chattering, I wake early on a damp misty morning to discover that michi no eki Kudoyama is a meeting point for Suzuki Jimny fans. More and more of the 660 cc. jeeps were arriving every minute, I had no idea they were so popular. We leave the michi no eki and head for Koyasan as the rain arrives. I can feel my muscles complaining as I swing from side to side, winding the car round the incessant bends. I don’t think I have ever felt that sensation before in all my years of driving. Is it the […]
Tanize Suspension Bridge
29/03/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Tamaki Shrine and Tanize Suspension Bridge　玉置神社

Day 80, November 2016, Another damp, chilly morning, the hills are draped in mist but the higher peaks are in sunshine. Unfortunately, we are deep in shade in a river valley. The river itself is mostly lost in the sea of gravel that forms its bed. We depart, heading for some elusive shrine up the hillside. Tamaki Jinja (Shrine) When we arrive at the spot where the footpath to the shrine begins, the road is very narrow and there is absolutely nowhere to park so, we give up. As we descend, we pass a local bus going up and realize that the only way to access the shrine is by […]
Kumano Hongu Taisha
29/03/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi – Kumano Hongu Taisha　熊野古道中辺路

Day 79, November 2016, A quiet night but a chilly morning. The sun is up but, shining on the front of the building we are behind. We set off in search of a coin laundry and find one conveniently located next to a supermarket, where we buy food. Heading deep into the mountains finding supplies is always a problem. The choice is limited but, I am not feeling my best, so my interest in food is scarce. Kumano Kodo Nakahechi After picking up the washing we head to Kumano Kodo michi no eki Nakahechi where we have lunch. This is a small road station but it has a restaurant and […]
Kushimoto Hashiguiiwa
29/03/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Nanki Shirahama, South Wakayama Coast　南紀白浜

Day 78, November 2016, Kii Oshima, Kashinozaki Lighthouse　　紀伊大島、樫野埼灯台 After a wet night, the rain is still lingering at michi-no-eki Kushimoto Hashigui-iwa so we start the day slowly as the rain is forecast to ease. Kii Oshima is our first destination where there are views of some, apparently, interesting rock formations. We discover a stone lighthouse ‘enlightened’, as the plaque would have it, in 1872. This lighthouse was one of 6 designed by British engineers due to some treaty with the Edo Bakufu. The lighthouse was surrounded by narcissus brought from Britain by the engineers. There was also an English Oak planted in 2002 but it didn’t look too healthy to […]
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
17/03/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kumano Kodo Trail-Nakahechi, Daimonzaka 　 熊野古道中辺路大門坂

Day 77, November 2016, After another warm night and a cloudy morning, with only a hint of sunshine, we make directly to another kodo (Nakahechi), Daimonzaka. This trail heads up to Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seigantoji temple. The latter being the Buddhist temple attached to the Shinto shrine. Temples and shrines used to be more aligned, especially the Shugendo sect of mountain ascetics which bridged the two beliefs. This alignment was suppressed after the Meiji Restoration though some twin arrangements survive. Daimonzaka (Kumano Kodo Nakahechi) After a short walk along the road from the car park, we find the entrance to the kodo. This is marked by a couple of […]